The EU Presidency regrets that the election of a new Lebanese president has been postponed yet another time, until  12 January 2008.

The Presidency is deeply concerned by the risks of further prolonging the institutional void in the country and calls upon the parties to use the timeframe until January 12th to work flexibly and responsibly in order to finalise an agreement that allows for the election of a new President in a spirit of consensus, in full respect of the Lebanese constitutional norms and democratic institutions, and free from outside interference.

The EU has actively encouraged constructive dialogue between the parties and will continue to do so. 

While calling for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1559, 1680 and 1701 and recalling previous statements, the EU Presidency pledges its strong support for a new president and a new government committed to Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.